“We need to de-escalate this,” the PM said. “Yes the nuclear issue has to be dealt with, but it’s better dealt with through negotiations than by way of conflict”
Keir Starmer has called for Iran’s nuclear programme to be dealt with through negotiations rather than conflict.
Last night Donald Trump continued to weigh up whether to send America’s military to help Israel strike Iran’s military facilities.
It following days of Israeli bombardment of Iran, and Tehran counterattacking with missile strikes on Israeli towns and cities.
Speaking to broadcasters this morning, the Prime Minister said: “Obviously all of us, the UK included, are very concerned about the nuclear programme that Iran is developing, long been concerned about that.
“We also completely recognise Israel’s right to self defence.
“But the principle is that we need to de-escalate this. There’s a real risk of escalation here that will impact the region, possibly beyond the region, into Gaza and obviously It’s already having an impact on the economy.”
Mr Starmer went on: “I’ve been absolutely clear about this – yes the nuclear issue has to be dealt with, but it’s better dealt with through negotiations than by way of conflict.”
When he took office in 2018, Donald Trump pulled the US off the nuclear treaty with Iran which had prevented the state working towards a nuclear since 2015 when it was signed.
Britain has continued to urge de-escalation, but has deployed two refuelling tankers and 14 Typhoon jets to Cyprus to protect British personnel and interests in the Middle East.
The Foreign Office has evacuated family members of British Embassy staff from Israel but not advised UK nationals to leave the country.
Asked if Mr Starmer would prefer Mr Trump to go down the route of diplomacy rather than military action, a No 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been clear that his priority is de-escalation.”
The spokesman added: “Clearly de-escalation is the priority, and we would not want to see anything that ramps up the situation.
“That is our priority. We have been clear on that for a number of days now. De-escalation remains this Government’s priority.”
Asked if the UK would block the US from using the Diego Garcia base to launch a strike against Iran, the spokesman said: “I’m not going to get into hypothetical situations and I’m not going to speculate on future operations, but we continue to liaise with international partners as the Prime Minister has done for a number of days now and will continue to do so.”
An Iranian missile hit the main hospital in southern Israel early Thursday, wounding people and causing “extensive damage” but no serious injuries, the medical facility said. Israeli media aired footage of blown-out windows and heavy black smoke.
Other missiles hit a high-rise apartment building in Tel Aviv and other sites in central Israel. At least 40 people were wounded, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service.
Israel, meanwhile, carried out strikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, its latest attack on Iran’s sprawling nuclear program. Iranian state television said there was “no radiation danger whatsoever” and that the facility had been evacuated before the attack.
The seventh day of conflict came a day after Iran’s supreme leader rejected U.S. calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause “irreparable damage to them.”